Modular Home
Design Challenge

The ‘Do It Yourself Pop Up House’ was the favoUrite among the jurors. The project proposes a 12.2 x 2.4 x 3.15m container carrying the 35 prefabricated components needed to assemble the home to one’s liking – an adaptable and versatile solution to the brief. Even the container itself is used as part of the assembled structure’s envelope, to reduce throw-away parts after transportation. The jury writes, “The proposal demonstrated a good understanding of environmental design, and a pragmatic approach to re-thinking the status quo. The introduction of a patio is laudable – the clear organization around it makes the proposal very rich in terms of space and distribution. The project meets, with very well-argued proposals, sustainable development, an easy installation, and responsible use of materials.” In addition to the design, the jury commented on the project’s outstanding representation, “Its use of the thin-line drawing style and visuals shows a peaceful and balanced design and a fitting representation of it.” 

‘Re-Imagining Makoko’ is a proposal for a modular floating home designed for Lagos, Nigeria: self-sustained mobile pods that remain undamaged by rising sea levels while also providing desperately needed access to clean water and sewage systems. The home is composed of linked pods, constructed of plastic, wood, and corrugated metal, and topped with a sloped metal roof lined with solar panels – innovative solutions to reduce environmental impacts. According to the jury, “The project presents a balance between the costs and the needs of the inhabitants. It is practical while keeping the flexibility and creativity expressed within the architectural modularity. It shows understanding of modularity through a variety of lenses. Formally less sophisticated than other choices, but the functional concept behind the organization of the modules is simple and rational, its flexibility responding effectively to the needs of each user. Clever, ecological, humane, appropriate.” The jury also applauded the proposal’s presentation and the intelligent and thoughtful way in which Makoko's specific climate, economics, and culture were considered. 

The layout of this house is divided into a base module and four flexible sliding rooms that expand from both sides of the structure. According to the proposal, it comes with built-in furniture and responds to the changing needs of its inhabitants. The jury writes, “This was chosen for its combination of compact, space-saving and reconfigurable spaces with its broader argument about the nature and purpose of contemporary housing.”